Hopper door operating mechanism for the discharge-outlet of railway hopper cars



Dec. 1, 1959 G. a. DOREY HOPPER DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THEDISCHARGE-OUTLET 0F RAILWAY HOPPER ems 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original FiledMarch 26, 1952 N/ QQ NhhiM Q Q Q INVENTOR. 660C965- Dan /y, W

Dec. 1, 1959 e. B. DOREY 2,915,022

HOPPER DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE DISCHARGE-OUTLET 0F RAILWAYHOPPER CARS Original Filed March 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Dec. 1, 1959 G. B. DOREY HOPPER DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THEDISCHARGE-OUTLET OF RAILWAY HOPPER was 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original FiledMarch 26, 1952 INVENTOR. Gao/fgefl 270/129, M

Dec. 1, 1959 cs. B. DOREY 2,915,022

HOPPER DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE DISCHARGE-OUTLET 0F RAILWAYHOPPER CARS Original Filed March 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 E mglvmk. Q60 25.

Dec. 1, 1959 e. B. DOREY 2,915,022

HOPPER DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE DISCHARGE-OUTLET 0F RAILWAYHOPPER CARS Original Filed March 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 7 2,1 2; HOPPER DOOR OP'ERATING MECHANISM FOR THE iDIscrrAR E-oUrLEr FRAILWAY HOP;

PER

George B. .Dorey, Westmount, Quebec, Canada, assignor to EnterpriseRailway Equipment Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois W VOriginal application March26, 1952, Serial No. 278,605, now Patent No.2,859,707, dated November 11, 1958. Divided and this application March17, 1958, Serial No. 721,863

' '8 Claims. Cl; 105-282) The invention relates to a discharge outletfor a load containing hopper and is of a type employing sliding gatesfor closing the hopper opening. This application is a division ofapplication Serial No. 278,605, filed March 26, 1952, now Patent No.2,859,707, dated Nov. 11, 1958.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a structure wherein asingle opening is closed by a pair of gates which operate independentlyof each other instead of utilizing a large single gate as is nowestablished prac tice and the present improvements contemplate toggleacting mechanism to provide greatly multiplied power for initiatingrelease of the gates and also for forcing the gates to tightly closedposition.

T Other objects of the invention are to provide mechanism insuringuniform translatory movement of the respective sides of the gates and tomake provision for adjustment in the position of the toggle mechanismmounting to insure tightly fitting relation between the meeting edges ofa pair of sliding gates.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a longitudinallymovable and rotatable keyshaped sealing boltstruc'ture which is mountedto have limited longi tudinal movement coaxially with a shaft and havingmeans compelling insertion of the bolt prior to assembly of the shaft inits bearings.

Still further objects of the invention are: To provide a rectangularframe around the hopper opening with another lower frame secured theretoand providing a discharge chuteyto mount rail members on depending sidewalls of the .framefor forming a part of the lower frame and slidablymounting a gate or gates; and to form the chute in part by inwardlysloping transverse walls interconnecting the rail members.

The invention further resides in certain details of construction as willbe pointed out hereinafter.

The improvement is shown in the drawings as applied to a hopper carhaving discharge outlets for directing 1ad ing to a location between therails.

In said drawings- Figure 1 is a vertical side elevational view of aportion of a hopper showing the improved discharge outlet withone of apair of gates in closed position and showing the other gate of thepairin fully opened position.

Figure 2 is a vertical end elevational view of the struc ture shown inFigure 1 as viewed from right to left.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure I with certainparts of the hopper flooring removed to better illustrate theconstruction. I v 1 Figure 4 is a detached plan-view of the gate, with aportion broken away to show certain details of con- 8 struction.

Figure 5 is a side elevational viewof the gate shown in Figure 4.

Figure :6 is a fractional end elevational view of the end ofthe gateshowing the position of the sealing bolt during its insertionpriortovthe application'of the shaft in the bearing of the gate; I

Figure -7 is a view similar to Figure -6 with the shaft positioned inthebearing and illustrating the limitation in rotatable movement of thesealing bolt due to the presence of the shaft.

Figure '8 is a vertical sectional view taken through the gate and frameat a location corresponding generally to line 8-8 of Figure 2 andshowing the position of the parts-with the gate in slightly openposition.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 except that the opening movementof the gate is advanced beyond that shown in said Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a detached plan view of the frame with the runways inassembled relation.

Figure 1d is a side elevational view of the frame assembly shown inFigure '10.

Figure 12 is an end elevational view of the outlet assembly shown inFigure 10.

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the outlet assemblywith the pairof gates in toggle locked position and a section of the structure brokenaway to illustrate the sealing relation between the gates at theirmeeting edges. H

In said drawings 10 indicates the center sill of the car and 11 one ofthe side walls spaced outwardly from the center sill. Positionedintermediate the center sill 10 and side wall 11 is a four-sided hopperformed in part by oppositely sloping walls 12 and 13 which meet withinner and outer side walls indicated at 14 and 15 respectively, saidrespective walls 12, 13, 14 and 15 leading to a four, sided dischargeopening 16. Bordering the opening 16 is a frame structure 17 whichincludes an upper section 18 overlying the walls of thehopper andsecured thereto and. extending downwardly therefrom are side walls19-19. a

Secured to the side walls 19-19 is a sub-hopper including longitudinallyextending rail members 20 connected by transversely extending walls21-21 which are spaced lengthwise from each other to form in combinationwiththe rail members 20-20 a four-sided chutelike receptacle. The railmembers 20 are preferably of angle shape with one flange 22 secured tothe depending walls 19 of the chute and having the adjacent flange 23extending inwardly laterally to form uninterrupted supportsfor slidinggates 24-24-to prevent leakage of lading. g

The sliding gates24-24 are arranged to slide in opposite direction andmeet, as shown inFigure 13, adjacent the centerof the discharge opening16. The rail members v20 project beyond the frame 17 proper to formcantilevers for supporting the gates 24 in open position. The gates24are each provided with a .toggle mechanism for moving them and retainingthe same in closed position. Inasmuch as the mechanism and associatedparts for each gate. are of identical construction, the descriptionherein will be confined to only one of the gates and its relatedmechanism. 3

Each gate 24 is provided atits outer end with bearings 25-25, Figure 3;which lie above the flanges 23 of the rail members 20. As shown inFigure 4, the bearings 25 a each side of the framestructure 17 and isthere fitted with-fixedly mounted pairs of toggle arms 27-27. Links 28are pivotedat one end at'29' to and between the respective pairs oftoggle arms27 and pivotally mounted at their opposite ends to the framestructure 17 at 31 through the medium of longitudinally adjustablethreaded eyebolts 32. Each threaded eyebolt 32 is retained againstlongitudinal movement by means of a complementary threaded nut 33 heldbetween a pair of spaced lugs 34--34 which, in turn are formedintegrally with the frame struc ture 17. Fixedly mounted on the outerend of the shaft 26 is an operating handle 35 having a hollow socket 36to accommodate a removable operating tool which extends outwardly fromthe frame 17 at an obtuse angle to the shaft 26. The link 28 includes anindented por-- tion 37 which straddles the shaft 26 when the togglemechanism is in an overcenter locked position as seen in Figure 1 withthe associated gate 24 closed thereby allowing the line of thrust whichjoins the axes of pivots 29 and 31 to, extend along a line 38, Figure 1;which lies, slightly below and to one side of the axis 39 of the shaft26.

The toggle mechanism is arranged to be retained in its-overcenter lockedrelation by means of a sealing bolt 40 having at one end a key shapedend 41 and at the opposite end an outstanding handle 42. The bolt 40'extends through flanges 43-43 formed at the outer edges of one of thebearing 25 on the gate 24. It will be noted that the flanges 43 are eachformed with a key shaped aperture 44'corresponding substantially inshape tothe key shaped end 41 of the sealing bolt 40; The apertures 44,are, so. disposed and, located as to compel insertion of the sealingbolt 40 before insertion of the shaft 26 in its bearings and to this endthe apertures 44 are positioned to extend radially with respect to theaxis 39 of the shaft 26 as seen in Figure 6. After assembly of thesealing bolt 40 in the flanges 43 and the insertion ofv the shaft 26inthe bearings 25 carried by each gate 24, the gate assembly is applied tothe frame structure17. Upon insertion of the shaft 26 in its bearings 25the sealing bolt 40 is given a partial rotation as shown in Figure 7 toallow the handle 42 to rest on the shaft 26. The key shaped end 41 ofthe bolt is then out of registering alignment with the apertures 44 andcannot be accidentally lost or removed without dismantling the shaft andgate assembly. The toggle arms 27 are provided with key shaped apertures45 for the accommodation of the; key shaped end 41 of the sealing bolt40 therethroughand above the toggle link 28 as shown in Figures 1 and 2thereby retaining the toggle mechanism in closed position. The keyshaped end 41 of the bolt 40 isprovidedwith an aperture 46 and inalignment therewith when the bolt is fully thrown, there is an aperture47' formed in a wall 48 of the handle 35. The said apertures 46 and 47when in registering alignment accommodate a sealingribbon 48a. Figure13. shows the bolts 40' overlying the toggle links 28 and therebypreventing any movement thereof or rotation of the respective shaft 26if an attempt is. made to rotate the handle 35.

The gate 24 in its sliding movement is guidedsideways between the innerfaces 4949 of the frame side walls 1919 of the frame 17. The gate 24 isfurther guided against vertical displacement by means of guiding plates50, Figures 4 and 5, which are spaced from the main body of the gate onits underside to form a groove 50", the plates 50 being riveted to thegate 24 by rivets 51. As shown in- Figure 2, the grooves 50 on oppositesides of the gate 24 receive the horizontal flange 23 of the railmembers 20 and thus the gates 24 are guided therealong and preventedfrom being displaced upwardly.

A resilient gasket 52, Figure 13, is disposed along the forward edge ofeach gate 24 for the purpose of sealing the closure, against leakage attheir meeting edges. As shownin Figure 4, each resilient gasket 52 inthe uncompressed condition, for example with one orboth gates 24 in:partly open position, projects beyond the edge'of the, respective gatewhich meets,: as shown in Figure 13, withthe corresponding edge-of'theother gate 24; While the juxtaposed edges of the gates;24 maynot be incon?- tact engagementv throughout; the entirejextent', the. re

silient gaskets 52 therebelow provide an adequate seal against leakageof lading therepast.

It has heretofore been customary in structures involving a sliding gatefor closing an opening to provide a one piece closure. A gate of thischaracter presenting an extended area is difficult to move with heavilycompacted lading such as cement, lime, activated earth and similarmaterials. This invention contemplates solution of the difliculties byforming the gates in two sections and further providing for greatlymultiplied mechanical advantage at the initial movement of the gate inan opening direction. The mechanical advantage referred to is obtainedthrough the medium of the toggle acting mechanism I is in closedposition as seen in Figure 1, the operator after moving the sealing bolt40 to retracted position inserts a bar 53 in the handle 35 as indicatedby conventional dot and dash lines. Upon rotation of the shaft, 26 in acounter clockwise direction the toggle joint is opened and the shaft anddoor are moved outwardly. The extent of'mechanical advantage derivedfrom the initial rotary movement of the shaft 26 may be realized byreference to Figure 8 wherein the shaft rotation through an angulardistance'of 45 degrees operates to move the gate a distance of only oneinch. Rotation of the shaft 26 in the indicated direction is continueduntil the toggle mechanism is moved through the position in Figure '9 tothe fully extended position as seen on the left hand part ofFigure 1'.

It will be, appreciated that the increased mechanical advantage andcorresponding small movement of the gate 24 are obtained at the extremesof the range movement of the toggle mechanism and are accompanied byreduced mechanical advantage and relatively great movement at theintermediate stage of movement of the gate. Since the resistance tomovement of the gates decreases after the initial breakaway stage, suchreduction in mechanical advantage during this intermediate stage is notobjectionable.

The toggle mechanism when in extended position, as shown in Figure 1,positively maintains the gate 24 in opened position and such retentionis of importance in a railway car wherein the gate is longitudinallymovable and subject to displacement under buffing shocks.

The closing operation of the gate 24 is a reversal of the openingoperation, the toggle mechanism forcing the pair of gates 24 into. tightmeeting relation and operating to compress the resilient gaskets 52. Inorder to compensate for wear and irregularities in manufacture there areprovided the threaded adjusting eyebolts 32 whereby limited variationsin the setting of the gates 24 is readily effected.

The gate 24 in its transitory movement as heretofore pointed out isrestrained against vertical displacement by reason of the guide plates50 and consequently the full effect of the toggle linkage is exercisedto move the gate upon rotation of the shaft 26.

As shown more clearly in Figures l0, l1 and 12 the upper section 18 ofthe frame structure 17 is formed by transverse end walls 54 and 55 whichoverlie the sloping walls 12 and 13, respectively, and by side walls 56and 57 which overlie side walls 14 and 15, respectively.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for usein arailroad carhaving an opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a-frame=having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower por-v tions thereof andextending toward each other along op-. posite sides of said opening, apair of gates slidable along the upper surfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening;means for moving said gates along said supportflanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position including a shaft rotatablymounted on each gate transverse to the direction of movement thereof, anarm secured to and extending'radially from said shaft, and a linkpivoted at one end to said frame and at the other end to said arm; saidgates in closed position having juxtaposed edges intermediate the endsof said opening, and a gasket interposed between said juxtaposed edgesin said closed position of said gates.

2. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for use in a railroadcar having an opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a frame having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower portions thereof andextending toward each other along opposite sides of said opening, a pairof gates slidable along the upper surfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening;means for moving said gates along said support flanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position including a shaft rotatablymounted on each gate transverse to the direction of movement thereof, anarm secured to and extending radially from said shaft, and a linkpivoted at one end to said frame and at the other end to said arm; saidgates in closed position having juxtaposed edges intermediate the endsof said opening, and a gasket mounted on each gate along the respectivejuxtaposed edge and extending beyond the respective juxtaposed edgetoward the corresponding edge of the other gate when said gates areseparated.

3. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for use in a railroadcar having an opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a frame having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower portions thereof andextending toward each other along opposite sides of said opening, a pairof gates slidable along the upper surfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening,means for moving said gates along said support flanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position, said gates in closed positionhaving juxtaposed edges intermediate the ends of said opening, a gasketinterposed between said juxtaposed edges in said closed position of saidgates; said means for moving said gates including a shaft rotatablymounted on each gate transverse to the direction of movement thereof, anarm secured to and extending radially from said shaft, and a linkpivoted at one end to said frame and at the other end to said arm toreciprocate the respective gate on rotation of said shaft accompanied bymovement of said link transversely of said shaft.

4. In a discharge outlet for a load containing hopper structure having adischarge opening and a two section sliding closure for the opening,means slidably mounting said respective sections of the closure to meetin abutting relation, a resilient compressible gasket carried by eachsection adjacent the abutting edge thereof, over center toggle actingmechanism for forcing the meeting edges of the respective sectionstogether and compressing the gaskets as the toggle acting mechanism ismoved past the center position to the over center position, said toggleacting mechanism including a shaft rotatably mounted on at least onesection and being reversible to move said sections apart, and means foranchoring the toggle mechanism to the hopper structure, said means beingadjustable lengthwise in the direction of movement of the sections tovary the relation between the respective sections.

5. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for use in a railroadcar having an opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a frame having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower portions thereof andextending toward each other along opposite sides of said opening, a pairof gates slidable along the upper surfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening,means for moving said gates along said support flanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position, said gates in closed positionhaving juxtaposed edges intermediate the ends of said opening, acompressible gasket mounted on each gate underneath the respectivejuxtaposed edge and extending beyond the respective juxtaposed edgetoward the corresponding edge of the other gate when said gates areseparated, said edges of said gates above the gaskets mutually engagingeach other and said gaskets mutually engaging each other and beingcompressed when said gates are closed, and an over center toggle actingmechanism reacting between said frameand a shaft on at least one of saidgates to close said one gate against the other with said edges mutuallyengaging each other when said toggle acting mechanism moves past thecenter position.

6. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for use in a railroadcar havingan opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a frame having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower portions thereof andextending toward each other along opposite sides of said opening, a pairof gates slidable along the uppersurfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening,means for moving said gates along said support flanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position, said gates in closed positionhaving juxtaposed edges intermediate the ends of said opening, a gasketinterposed between said juxtaposed edges in said closed position of saidgates; said means for moving said gates including a shaft rotatablymounted on each gate transverse to the direction of movement thereof, anarm secured to and extending radially from said shaft, and a linkpivoted at one end to said frame and at the other end to said arm toreciprocate the respective gate on rotation of said shaft accompanied bymovement of said link transversely of said shaft; flange means on therespective gate extending beyond said link when said link overlies saidshaft, and a sealing bolt slidably mounted on that portion of saidflange means extending beyond said link for movement along an axisparallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft into and out of overlyingrelation to said link.

7. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for use in a railroadcar having an opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a frame having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower portions thereof andextending toward each other along opposite sides of said opening, a pairof gates slidable along the upper surfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening,means for moving said gates along said support flanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position, said gates in closed positionhaving juxtaposed edges intermediate the ends of said opening, a gasketinterposed between said juxtaposed edges in said closed position of saidgates; said means for moving said gates including a shaft rotatablymounted on each gate transverse to the direction of movement thereof, anarm secured to and extending radially from said shaft, and a linkpivoted at one end to said frame and at the other end to said arm toreciprocate the respective gate on rotation of said shaft accompanied bymovement of said link transversely ofsaid shaft, said shaft in the gateclosed position being located between the pivots of said link and to oneside of a line joining said pivots; flange means on said gate extendingbeyond said link in said gate closed position, and a sealing boltslidably mounted on that portion of said flange means extending beyondsaid link for movement along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid shaft into andout of overlying relation to said link.

8. A hopper discharge opening closure structure for use in a railroadcar having an opening providing for the downward discharge of lading andcomprising, in combination, a frame having side walls and end wallsforming a discharge opening, a support flange parallel to and secured toeach of said side walls adjacent the lower portions thereof andextending toward each other along opposite sides of said opening, a pairof gates slidable along the upper surfaces of said support flangesunderneath the respective end wall of said frame to close said opening,means for moving said gates along said support flanges in oppositedirections to open or closed position, said gates in closed positionhaving juxtaposed edges intermediate the ends of said opening, agasketinterposed between said juxtaposed edges in said. closed position ofsaid gates, hearings on opposite sides of each gate outside of therespective end wall; said'means for moving each of said gates includinga shaft rotatably mounted in the-bearings on each gate, an arm securedto and extending radially from said shaft along side of each bearing,and links pivoted at one end to said frame and at the other end to thearms to reciprocate the gate on rotation of said shaft accompanied bymovement of said links transversely of said shaft; flange means on onebearing on each gate extending beyond the adjacent 8 link when saidadjacent link overlies said shaft, that portion of each flange meansextending beyond said adjacent link andthe adjacent arm having bearingapertures aligned along an axis parallel tothe. axis of rotation of saidshaft when said adjacent link overlies said shaft,

a sealing bolt slidably and rotatably mounted in said bearing aperturesand overlying said adjacent link to prevent movement thereof and therebymovement of said gate and rotation of said shaft, said sealing boltbeing key shaped at one end and having a radially extending handle atthe other end, said bearing apertures in said flange means and adjacentarm being key shaped and offset with respect to each other and requiringinsertion of said key shaped end of said sealing bolt through saidadjacent arm with said handle in the space occupied by said shaft toprevent removal of said sealing bolt after assembly of said shaft insaid bearings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS494,351 Thomas Mar. 28, 1893 502,584 Rettig Aug. 1, 1893 609,8.16 KramerAug. 30, 1898 700,580 Torrent May 20, 1902 761,550 Simonton May 31, 19041,081,040 Handy Dec. 9, 1913 1,098,315 Clasen May 26, 1914 1,270,005Clark June 18, 1918 1,378,216 Christianson May 17, 1921 1,484,764 DoddFeb. 26, 1924 1,755,077 Schellentrager Apr. 15, 1930 2,069,739 Fildes etal. Feb. 9, 1937 2,222,280 Batho Nov. 19, 1940 2,328,003 Gardes Aug. 31,1943 2,386,702 McBride Oct. 9, 1945 2,717,093 Mautner Sept. 6, 1955

